Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

glassman

Electron Herder
I went to a house in the "hood" based on a tip from a friend that there was some old test equipment in the basement. The lady that lived there said that everything was from a previous tenent that had lived there for years. I found several old Heathkit devices (o'scope, capacitor tester, signal tracer & an electronic switch) all very dirty and likely needing repair. I ffered her $30 and she agreed. She told me I could have the box of tubes in the corner too. It was too dark to see what was in there and the box was water damaged so I figured I was kinda doing her a favor by getting rid of the tubes for her...boy was I wrong. I got home and found these:

View attachment 16470

Both in the original boxes. One had been opened but the other is still sealed and has the test report inside.

View attachment 16471

I'm reluctant to open the one in the sealed bag since I have no idea what these would be worth with one of them still sealed.
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

EBAY!

If that test equipment works it could also be worth $$$$$$$4
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

The single sealed one might be worth more to a tube collector. Players and audiophiles want matched pairs or quads. Nice find

I was lucky a few years ago and snagged half a box of Gold Lion KT-88's, made a bundle off them
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

Hahaha! Nice try. Those tubes are worth $600 for the set -- minimum!

Not really - They sell as low as $50 bucks each....

Don't get his hopes up too high, you're ruining my bid!
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

There isn't going to be a cobra in my toilet if I say "no", is there?
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

I've been doing a lot of research retubing a 65 JTM45, looking for fresh tubes and backups. If they are the smoked glass versions from the 60's they are worth $600 for the pair in good condition. NOS glass Genalex migh be about $400 a pair. New Gold Lions/Genalex KT66 are probably around $90-100 for a pair.
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

Not really - They sell as low as $50 bucks each....

Don't get his hopes up too high, you're ruining my bid!

Maybe in Hong Kong, but not in the US. I've searched far and wide for NOS KT-66's and the cheapest I've found were about $250 for a matched set. THEY WERE NOT Genelex! If you know of a source that is cheaper, please let me know!
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

Howdy,

I haven't been that lucky since..well, I can't remember when! Congrats.

Eggman
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

Jeremy will confirm that these are same as I gave him about 2 years ago....

Price has jumped up - if you looking on eBay, Tubestore etc.... Look around more you can find them cheaper.
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

I've been doing a lot of research retubing a 65 JTM45, looking for fresh tubes and backups. If they are the smoked glass versions from the 60's they are worth $600 for the pair in good condition. NOS glass Genalex migh be about $400 a pair. New Gold Lions/Genalex KT66 are probably around $90-100 for a pair.

The smoked glass w/ clear tops were from the 50s, not the 60s. The 60s versions were clear glass. Not sure what your source of info was

I say put them on eBay and see what they are worth, book prices are meaningless in this day and age. I'd say you would be fortunate to get $300 out of the pair but you never know. If these were the 88s which are far more desireable, your $600 figure for a pair is far more realistic
 
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Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm

KT66 GEC and Genalex "Clear Glass" 1960 - 1983
(smooth, rich, creamy, lush, all describe the sound of these KT66)
(comments: "the KT66 arrived ! They are simply FANTASTIC, I find them better than my RCA 6L6GC")

- Marshall Bluesbreaker JTM45 MKIV (tremolo) from ‘66
- ASL Leyla 2002 power amp
- Marshall Bluesbreaker reissue 1964
- Dr. Z Route 66
- JTM45
- Pure Sixty-Four The "64" Head
- Quad II
- THD Bivalve
- Soultone 1986ps

SONIC COMMENTS:
--------------
"Brendan, Chris Schaefer here again with the news that the KT66's you sold me are now working
beautifully in a 40w 1x 12" combo amp that really smoothly shimmers. Almost inexplicable. ZOW!
I will keep you abreast of where to see and hear this amp (I call it the "1961") on the web
within the next couple months. Happy Holidays! Chris Schaefer"

"SOFIA" Computer Matched Pairs: (Vplate = 450V, Vgrid = -12V, Vscreen = 200V)
also Maxi-Matcher tested @ Vplate=400V, Vgrid=-36V

KT66 GEC CLEAR GLASS MATCHED PAIRS NOS:
--------------------------------------
listed below - tube on right is taller
1 pair $495) KT66 GEC clear glass NOS white "GEC" printing on glass (recommended)
1 tube) 67.8ma 1982 1/4" taller glass
1 tube) 63.7ma 1980

kt66nosp3.jpg



These prices are for 1980's tubes. 1960's era tubes are doubtless worth more. In fact, gray glass are $100-$200 more.
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

I doubt that I will be selling these tubes...unless I fall on hard times. They are the clear glass version with "Gold Lion" in script accross the glass envelope in a gold tone paint. There is a Genalex lion holding a "KT66" sign also in gold tone paint. I compared them to a quad of chinese KT66s that I have in inventory and they are nearly identical in configuration and construction. The only difference I noted was in the beam-forming apparatus; the chinese unit is an open sided rectangle while the British beam-former is 6-sided. Of course, I wouldn't be able to tell any differences in metalurgy, though the plates had the same color and surface texture between the two.
 
Re: Unexpected find: Genalex KT66 tubes!

Go back and find out if he left a guitar and amp collection behind! haha

Ha Ha! I did ask the lady if there were any musical instraments of any type and she said that there weren't. The way she described the guy was like someone who would wear a tin-foil hat to keep aliens from communicating with him...comforting eh?

I sure hope that all the tube fans out there aren't whacked in the head!
 
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